X-ray computed tomography apparatus and image processing apparatus

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an X-ray computed tomography apparatus that includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, preprocessing circuitry, a reconstruction processor, and control circuitry. The X-ray detector is configured to detect X-rays generated from the X-ray tube. The preprocessing circuitry is configured to generate projection data by executing preprocessing for data acquired by the X-ray detector based on a preprocessing condition. The reconstruction processor is configured to generate image data by executing reconstruction processing for the projection data based on a reconstruction condition. The control circuitry is configured to cause a storage to store the projection data in association with the preprocessing condition, and to read out the projection data based on a designated preprocessing condition.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An X-ray computed tomography apparatus comprising:
 an X-ray tube configured to generate X-rays; 
 an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays generated from the X-ray tube and transmitted through an object; 
 a primary preprocessing circuitry configured to generate first projection data by executing primary preprocessing on data collected by the X-ray detector based on a primary preprocessing condition included in preprocessing conditions; 
 a secondary preprocessing circuitry configured to generate second projection data by executing secondary preprocessing on the first projection data based on a secondary preprocessing condition included in the preprocessing conditions; 
 a reconstruction processor configured to generate image data by executing reconstruction processing for the second projection data based on a reconstruction condition; and 
 control circuitry configured to cause a storage to store the first projection data in association with the primary preprocessing condition and the second projection data in association with the primary processing condition and the secondary processing condition, and to, after previous reconstruction processing is executed and when the first projection data and the second projection data are identified in the storage based on a designated preprocessing condition, read the second projection data, which is obtained later in a processing sequence than the first projection data, from the storage. 
 
     
     
       2. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to cause the storage to store the image data in association with the primary preprocessing condition, the secondary preprocessing condition, and the reconstruction condition, and to read out corresponding image data from the storage based on a designated preprocessing condition and a designated reconstruction condition. 
     
     
       3. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage stores data acquired by the X-ray detector. 
     
     
       4. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry reads out data acquired by the X-ray detector from the storage when the storage stores neither projection data stored together with a preprocessing condition matching a preprocessing condition designated by a user nor image data stored together with a preprocessing condition and a reconstruction condition respectively matching a preprocessing condition and a reconstruction condition designated by the user. 
     
     
       5. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to provide a setting screen on which a plurality of notations are arranged in accordance with the processing sequence and a plurality of processing conditions concerning processes respectively corresponding the plurality of notations are arranged in association with the plurality of notations; and 
 a display configured to display the setting screen. 
 
     
     
       6. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of notations are respectively expressed by a plurality of corresponding graphic patterns, and
 the processor changes a display form of each of a plurality of graphic patterns in accordance with a preprocessing condition and a reconstruction condition designated by a user. 
 
     
     
       7. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the processor changes a display form of the notation corresponding to a sequence of preprocessing in the processing sequence depending on whether the storage stores projection data stored together with a preprocessing condition matching the designated preprocessing condition. 
     
     
       8. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the processor changes a display form of the notation corresponding to a sequence of preprocessing in the processing sequence depending on whether the storage stores image data stored together with a reconstruction condition matching a designated reconstruction condition in addition to the preprocessing condition matching the designated preprocessing condition. 
     
     
       9. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of processing conditions correspond to a plurality of processing conditions associated with image data and projection data stored in the storage, and
 the processor provides the setting screen on which the image data, a preprocessing condition, and a reconstruction condition are arranged in association with the image data. 
 
     
     
       10. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a display configured to display a plurality of types of preprocessing conditions,
 the display displaying a preprocessing condition, of the plurality of types of preprocessing conditions, which is stored together with projection data in the storage distinctly from other preprocessing conditions. 
 
     
     
       11. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the display displays a plurality of types of reconstruction conditions in addition to a plurality of types of preprocessing conditions, and displays a preprocessing condition and a reconstruction condition stored together with image data in the storage distinctly from other preprocessing conditions and other reconstruction conditions. 
     
     
       12. The X-ray computed tomography apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage configured to store data of a plurality of types of processing plans in which the primary preprocessing condition, the secondary preprocessing condition, and the reconstruction condition are set with respect to data acquired by the X-ray detector; and 
 input circuitry configured to input a preprocessing condition and a reconstruction condition, 
 wherein the processor is configured to change display forms of a plurality of notations based on a result of searching the plurality of types of processing plans by using the input preprocessing condition and the input reconstruction condition. 
 
     
     
       13. An image processing apparatus comprising:
 a primary preprocessing circuitry configured to generate first projection data by executing primary preprocessing on data collected by an X-ray detector based on a primary preprocessing condition included in preprocessing conditions; 
 a secondary preprocessing circuitry configured to generate second projection data by executing secondary preprocessing on the first projection data based on a secondary preprocessing condition included in the preprocessing conditions; 
 a reconstruction processor configured to generate image data by executing reconstruction processing for the second projection data based on a reconstruction condition; and 
 control circuitry configured to cause a storage to store the first projection data in association with the primary preprocessing condition and the second projection data in association with the primary processing condition and the secondary processing condition, and to, after previous reconstruction processing is executed and when the first projection data and the second projection data are identified in the storage based on a designated preprocessing condition, read the second projection data, which is obtained later in a processing sequence than the first projection data, from the storage.